Membership fees - poll

[Gingerheid]

All the discussion is here http://www.british-gymnastics.org/memberforum/showthread.php?goto=lastpost&t=109, but I thought this was a topic that deserved a poll too! (And this time hopefully I've actually added one:) )

Over the past few years, BG membership fees have been increasing very steeply, at a rate well above inflation. If you are a coach, your membership fees will be between 62.2% and 84.9% higher than they were four years ago. As a gymnast, you will pay BG between 52.6% to 110.5% more than you would have 4 years ago. If you are registering a club, your fee could be as much as 600% more than it would have been only a year ago.

Do you think the increases are worth it?

[peter edge]

Gingerheid, well done!http://www.british-gymnastics.org/memberforum/images/icons/icon14.gif It`s a fair poll and early idications are no suprise especially to those of us who are doubling up on fees.http://www.british-gymnastics.org/memberforum/images/icons/icon9.gif

[Vivien Gourlay]

Yes I agree, well done. Hope the BGA take notice of the majority or is that asking too much

[Lucy]

I find it unlikely they will but you never know.
I believe the prices will put people off particularly those just looking for a recreational bounce.

[Vivien Gourlay]

Wonder if this will make the BGA sit up and take notice?

Would anyone like to call an EGM or put a motion forward to the next AGM to over-rule the new membership rules?

[Gingerheid]

My concern would be that for the past few years BG has embarked on taking us down a different road from before, and that there doesn't seem to be an end in sight.

BG is trying to become an organisation that is supremely politically correct. They are also giving what appears to be a very great priority to achieving from members the funds they need to do what they believe will help advance the highest levels of the sports, but which will be seriously counter-productive if it results in loss of members.

I think it is time the the wider membership are urgently and directly consulted on the fundemental changes being made, and it may be that an EGM could be the most appropriate way of doing this.

For me is very concerning that a body concerned with a leisure activity should make such dramatic changes to it's structure and operations at such great expense to it's members, in a way which is only to fall in line with present political whim and offers few or no practical benefits.

It may indeed be that the government will have it's way in the long term. However, perhaps in the short term BG should be considering whether it ought to be resisting and delaying costly changes that are for the worse, rather than effectively encouraging them.

I do appreciate that there will indeed be a lot of good work that BG could doubtless do with a lot more money than it currently receives from all sources, including membership fees.

However, I feel that it must live within it's means and those of it's members. Efforts to generate too much revenue will merely result in BG losing members, to the detriment of itself and the sports.

It is likely that the activities of a high percentage of the members of BG will never require a large number of the services and benefits that it can provide. Their activities could easily be brought under the auspices of other youth organisations, and will be if the charges BG make become too high.

Although it is vastly better for such people to be part of an organisation like BG in case they are able to make use of the benefits in future, it won't be essential for the present and will only happen if it is affordable.

BG are jumping in the deep end in their efforts to create a 'more professional' organisation. However, I don't believe that this is what has successfully carried clubs through the ages to the present day.

[peter edge]

Thought I`d revisit this thread to see how it was getting on, I was quite suprised to see that only 16 entries into the poll especially when there was so many posts/comments/interest about the fees. Just wondering whether registrating for this forum has had a "Big Brother is watching" effect? Even worse apathy! Somehow I can`t believe the latter when taking in to consideration the debate on the subject and not just on this site!!

[Cathy King]

Pete


I only just found the forum !!!!

Now I have added my vote too

[Chris Adams]

If you dont complain to BGA, they will think they can put everything up, & up & up.

The worst thing is the Club Registration fee of 600% increase & the new coaches fees from Jan 1st 2005.